MLB being hypocritical with former Mets GM Billy Eppler

Major League Baseball has finally dropped the hammer on former Mets GM Billy Eppler.

Eppler was banished for the 2024 season due to his violations of the injury rules in 2022 and 2023. He would create phantom injuries to put players on the Injured List while falsifying documentation. It was a way for the Mets to stash a player or two as needed in direct violation of the league's rules. He will be eligible to return after the World Series.

There is just one problem with MLB cracking down on Eppler. As Deesha Thosar from Fox Sports reported, every team does this. In fact, she reported that players "were both interested and confused" why Eppler was the only general manager being investigated. 

As Joel Sherman and Dan Martin of the New York Post reported, the league was tipped off about Eppler's transgressions by an anonymous letter. Commissioner Rob Manfred said in October that he wanted to find out if there was a bigger problem with using the phantom IL in the game. It is possible that suspending Eppler is the first step in that direction.

Manfred has to be obtuse not to realize the phantom IL has existed for decades. Teams have often used nebulous injuries, such as 'arm fatigue' or 'neck stiffness,' to stash a player away for a few weeks. Players have outright said that they are not hurt when being placed on the IL. So why now, and why Eppler?

Those questions will remain unanswered. Manfred does not have to explain his rationale. Meanwhile, the players and fans will be left wondering why Eppler was singled out. As every team uses phantom injuries, MLB is being hypocritical with their handling of Billy Eppler.